Sensor assembly for pulser communication at the surface

Abstract

A system including a logging tool that comprises a pulser, and a sensor assembly removably attached the pulser while the logging tool is outside of a wellbore, where the logging tool operates the pulser and causes change of a detectable object in the pulser, wherein the sensor assembly detects change of the detectable object and transmits a signal to a data acquisition computer that is representative of the detected change. A method including operations of removably attaching a sensor assembly to a body of a pulser of a logging tool, detecting operation of the pulser via the sensor assembly, and emulating pressure pulses from the pulser by converting, via the sensor assembly, the detected pulser operation into synthetic pressure pulses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for testing operation of a tool used for subterranean operations, the system comprising:
 a logging tool that comprises a pulser, wherein the logging tool is outside a wellbore, wherein the pulser is configured to operate a detectable object that is configured to produce pressure pulses in the wellbore; and   a sensor assembly that is configured to detect, via one or more sensors, a change in a parameter of the detectable object in the pulser when the logging tool operates the detectable object.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly is removably attached to the pulser. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly transmits a signal to a data acquisition computer, and wherein the signal is representative of one or more parameter changes of the detectable object. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter is one of a position of the detectable object, an orientation of the detectable object, a magnetic field of the detectable object, an acoustic signal from the detectable object, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a cell phone, a smart watch, a magnetometer, an acoustic sensor, a vibration sensor, a Hall effect sensor, a magneto-diode, a magneto-transistor, magneto-optical sensor, a Lorentz force based Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensor, an electron tunneling based MEMS sensor, a MEMS compass, nuclear precession magnetic field sensor, optically pumped magnetic field sensor, a search coil magnetic field sensor, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the signal comprises synthetic pressure pulses that emulate pressure pulses from the pulser, and wherein the data acquisition computer is configured to compare the signal to an expected signal stored in a signature database and establish a score for the logging tool based on the comparison. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the data acquisition computer is configured to verify operation of a sensor system in the logging tool based on the comparison of the signal to the expected signal. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor system is one of a gamma ray detection system, a toolface sensor system, an inclination sensor system, and azimuthal sensor system, a pressure sensor system, a temperature sensor system, a vibration sensor system, a formation parameter measurement system, a strain gauge sensor system, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the signal indicates a failed operation of the sensor system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the signal indicates a failed operation of the pulser. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the signal comprises multiple sets of synthetic pressure pulses that emulate multiple sets of pressure pulses from the pulser, and wherein the data acquisition computer compares the signal to an expected signal stored in a signature database and establishes a score for the logging tool based on the comparison. 
     
     
         12 . A method for testing operation of a tool used for subterranean operations, the method comprising:
 operating a pulser of a logging tool outside of a bottom hole assembly;   detecting operation of the pulser via one or more sensors of a sensor assembly; and   creating synthetic pressure pulses, via the sensor assembly, based upon the detected operation of the pulser.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removably attaching the sensor assembly to a body of the pulser. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 transmitting, via wired or wireless telemetry, the synthetic pressure pulses to a data acquisition computer; and   comparing the synthetic pressure pulses to an expected signature of pressure pulses.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 determining a score for the logging tool based on the comparison of the synthetic pressure pulses to the expected signature of pressure pulses.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the score for the logging tool comprises a score for a sensor system in the logging tool. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor system comprises at least one of a gamma ray detection system, a toolface sensor system, an inclination sensor system, an azimuthal sensor system, a pressure sensor system, a temperature sensor system, a vibration sensor system, a formation parameter measurement system, a strain gauge sensor system, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 indicating that corrective action to repair the logging tool is needed, when the score is below a predetermined value; and   indicating the logging tool is ready for installation in a drill collar when the score is equal to or above the predetermined value.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein detecting operation of the pulser comprises detecting, via the sensor assembly, a change of a parameter of a detectable object in the pulser that occurs each time a valve in the pulser is operated, and wherein emulating the pressure pulses comprises converting the detected changes of the parameter into the synthetic pressure pulses. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the detected change of the detectable object comprises multiple sets of detected changes of the detectable object, and wherein emulating the pressure pulses comprises converting the detected changes of the detectable object into multiple sets of the synthetic pressure pulses.